Dr. Vivianne Cisneros Wersel is the widow of LT Col Richard "Rich" Wersel, Jr. USMC, who served in Operation Iraq Freedom I and II and died on active duty at Camp Lejeune 2005. Soon after, Vivianne discovered that she and her two children were not eligible for enhanced survivor benefits. She was instrumental in changing the SGLI and Death Gratuity (SA 1376) policy so that all active duty surviving spouses are now eligible for enhanced benefits and was also involved in repealing the Widows Tax.

Dr. Wersel is the Legislative Committee Chair for Western North Carolina MOAA Chapter and serves on the American Academy of Audiology Legislation committee. She is the Public Relations Officer for National Gold Star Wives of America Inc. She is the President/founder of Arlington Gold Star Wives. Vivianne has testified on survivor issues before Congress twenty times. She recently received an appointed position with the Military Officers Association of America Surviving Spouses Council. She remains active in public speaking, encouraging and teaching advocacy to various organizations.

She holds a Doctorate of Audiology from Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. She is a recently retired staff audiologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. Upon retirement, she entered into the Congressional Record to support military service members, retirees, and their families, including survivors. Dr. Wersel resides in Asheville, NC.